During more than a decade of near-zero interest rates, many investors got used to low returns from boring bonds. But bonds are exciting again, providing investors with predictable real income and stability. So where do bonds fits in today’s portfolio? Collin Martin, director and fixed income strategist at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, joins host Mike Townsend for an engaging discussion about how the “income” is back in “fixed income.” They discuss Treasuries, corporate bonds, high-yield bonds, the Fed outlook, and whether bonds are now more attractive than stocks. Collin shares his thoughts on how investors should be thinking about potential fixed income opportunities.
In Mike’s updates from Washington, he discusses a new report on the health of the Social Security and Medicare programs, provides context to a recent government report on how much it would cost to extend the 2017 tax cuts set to expire next year, and highlights a government effort to ban futures markets where investors can bet on the presidential election outcome and other events.
WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit Schwab.com/WashingtonWise.
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The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.
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Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.
Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks, including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors.
Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk.
Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and cannot protect against losses in a declining market.
International investments involve additional risks, which include differences in financial accounting standards, currency fluctuations, geopolitical risk, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.
Currency trading is speculative, volatile and not suitable for all investors.
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Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) may be more sensitive to interest rate changes than other fixed income investments. They are subject to extension risk, where borrowers extend the duration of their mortgages as interest rates rise, and prepayment risk, where borrowers pay off their mortgages earlier as interest rates fall. These risks may reduce returns.
There are risks associated with investing in dividend paying stocks, including but not limited to the risk that stocks may reduce or stop paying dividends.
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